PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 20, 2023)—On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, I headed to the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at 3600 Civic Blvd., Philadelphia, for my last prostate cancer treatment. With me were my wife, Connie; my daughter, Connie Lynn Woods; and my granddaughter, Brianna Woods. My entire family wanted to be there, but the hospital limits the number of support people you can bring with you.
Part of the celebration for people who complete this journey is ringing a ceremonial large bell that hangs in the corner of the waiting room on the bottom floor of that building. I was apprehensive, but what could go wrong? I watched five-year-olds ring that bell during my time at the Center, and they had no problems. Of course, being a Cleary, you always prepare to expect the unexpected, and so I was cautious. After being zapped by the Big Zapper, I got dressed and headed towards that corner for my big moment. My family gathered, and the patients and their family members in the room were looking toward the corner where I was standing. As I grabbed the rope to ring the bell, nothing happened. All eyes were on me. I swung the rope again, but still no sound. I looked towards Kathy, the receptionist, and she was yelling, “Swing it forward, not sideways.” Laughter and applause from the patients and staff broke the tension in the room as I rang the bell loudly and clearly several times.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 19, 2022)–I don’t try to hide my disappointment in America’s public education and never will apologize for wanting today’s kids to have the high quality of education we had decades ago. That being said, I also try to be fair and congratulate those who make changes in the right direction. This week I read that “trades” will be reintroduced to Gloucester City schools. A sincere thank you to those who made this happen.
I read so many Facebook posts from the boys of the 1960s discussing their woodshop or metal shop adventures and telling what they made. Girls took sewing and cooking classes. Because I took sewing classes I made all my own clothes through high school and college plus bridesmaid’s dresses and more. There is so much value to these classes. We learned how to make something. We learned to take pride in what we made.
The Muslim religion is the fastest-growing religion per capita in the United States, especially in the minority races.Last month I attended the training. During the training session, there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim faiths, who each explained their beliefs.LETTERS TO THE EDITORI was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Muslim gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Muslim and asked:‘Please, correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that’s the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?’There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, ” Nonbelievers”I responded, ‘So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?’The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.’He sheepishly replied, ‘Yes.’I then stated, ‘Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine The Pope commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!’The Muslim was speechless.I continued, ‘I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question:Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?’You could have heard a pin drop.Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the ‘Diversification’ training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslims’ beliefs.In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the US. to elect the President.I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized unless each of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference.”Brian Canfield, AuthorCopied & pasted
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 15, 2022)–Just about everyone knows that there is a baby formula shortage. Many of you are experiencing it. What is happening? This is America and every day we look more like a third-world country rather than the richest and most powerful nation in the world.
So, what is the story behind the story with the formula shortage? Let’s start with a few facts. The United States makes 98% of the formula we use. This is a good thing; it keeps jobs in America and we have much more control over the quality and distribution of the product. The majority of formula is used by WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) recipients. The federal government has a contract with Abbott Company to supply the formula for WIC and SNAP (formerly food stamps) administrated through the states. The states give a “discount” to Abbott et al. up to 85% This is very profitable for Abbott and the federal and state governments don’t really care because it is “We, the People” who pay for it.
Each year between and four babies are reported with infections from a bacteria called cronobacter sakazakii. Never before has a plant been closed. The closest I was able to find for the number of babies who became ill this year was four. Two babies recovered and two died. So, at some point the government closed the plant for inspection. This was the right thing to do. However, I could only come to an inspection date between January 31, 2022 and March 18, 2022. What was the time span between the disclosure of the problem, the decision to close the Michigan plant, the inspection and conclusion? We don’t know.
At the point it was determined to close the plant there should have also been a plan for an alternate source of formula. There are other U.S. based companies; but there is no evidence that this was done. We have to be more careful than usual because these are our babies, not IPhones or clothes, etc. In the past it was found that the Chinese were putting melamine into their formula. We grey hairs remember unbreakable dinnerware called Melmac which was taken off the market because it caused…yes, cancer. Where we get the replacement formula is essential but did anyone look right here in America?
According to the Washington Examiner, May 13, 2022 the inspection is complete, the results are in but the Food and Drug Administration won’t specify the exact criteria for full approval to re-open Abbott’s Michigan plant. The inspection found some of the bacteria but none in the processing area. Samples of the formula were completely free of the bacteria. Everything sounds good.
Bacteria, like humans and all other living things, has its own DNA. Scientists were able to determine that the bacterial DNA in the babies did not come from the closed plant. So why hasn’t the FDA provided a date or even criteria for a full opening?
This is where you have to take off your scientist’s hat and put on your lawyer’s hat. On May 12, 2022 the Washington Post issued a headline about the “faux outrage” over this supposed problem. The term “faux outrage” is outrageous in itself but the article went on to say there is no real formula shortage. “They” were just following the law. Fortunately, The Post printed excerpts from the law. In my opinion, for what that’s worth, it all has to do with politics and money. Here’s what happened:
In 2015 The Obama administration passed a law pertaining to illegal immigrant minors. They have to be read their rights (a minor immigrant understands his rights?) The law goes on to detail their rights as food, clothing, and shelter and a ton of other rights the average citizen doesn’t have. Last year, 2021, The Biden Administration updated the law. Read the next sentence very carefully! The update specified that the government had to supply illegal immigrant children with “baby formula and milk.” The Washington Post wrote the article with a “see, there’s no problem – we’re just following the law.”
President Biden can solve the problem with the stroke of a pen. I am usually against Executive Orders. I feel Presidents use them to make law that would normally not get through Congress. In this case I am exasperated that President hasn’t already signed an executive order to alter the “formula or milk for illegal babies” to “Give the illegals formula or milk after all the citizen and legal resident babies have been fed.”
On May 17, 2022, at the age of 79, of Mantua; formerly of Gloucester City. Loving father of Michael S. Greene, Jr. (Christina), Beth Ann Perrone (Mark), and Brian Greene (Julie). Cherished grandfather of Michael III, Kyle, Olivia, Karlee, Logan, Daniel, and Dominic. Beloved son of Ruth Greene (née Sweeney) and the late Herbert I. Greene. Loving brother of Susan Vittorelli, Larry Greene, Ruthanne Greene, and the late Stephen Greene. Also survived by his former wife, Marie DeVone (née Leafey), and dear friend Neil Campbell.
Mike was a graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School, class of 1960. He served our country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Mike was a 30-year member of Local 825 as an operating engineer. He was an avid softball player in the Gloucester City Men’s League.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewings on Sunday evening, May 22, from 5 to 7 PM, and again on Monday morning, May 23, from 10 to 11 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Funeral service Monday at 11 AM in the funeral home. Interment with U.S. Military Honors will follow at Gloucester County Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Monroe Twp.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Michael S. Greene, Sr. Funeral arrangements and inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, Ph: 856-456-1142.
CAMDEN CITY, NJ (CNBNEWSNET) The Stanley Movie theater was one of the most popular places to take your family or your date for an evening of entertainment. Great memories of the plush red seats that reclined, an upstairs balcony for smooching with your girlfriend, and the aroma of popcorn being popped. In the mid-1950s students from St. Mary’s Grammar School were bussed from the school in Gloucester City to that theater to see Ben Hur and the 10 Commandments starring Charleton Heston.
In the video below Allen F. Haus, the author of the book South Jersey Movie House, talks about the once-great movie theaters of Camden, New Jersey.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ –Years ago, I took a Criminal Justice course at St. Joseph’s University. The instructor was a captain of the Philadelphia Police Department who brought his police-issued laptop with him to every class. The first thing he told us was that what he was going to present was the truth and he had and would show us the documentation to prove it. He said that if anyone was easily offended, this was the time to drop the course.
That was one of the best courses I took in my long educational career and one thing that I took away from the course and stayed with me was “The Broken Window Theory.” Many times, I read on Gloucester City Facebook pages that this is not the city in which many of us grew up. I’ve lived here for 70 years, and I can attest that the Gloucester City of today is not the Gloucester City of years gone by. The difference? The Broken Window Theory.
GHS 400-MEET RECORD BROKEN–Steven Burkhardt, (inset) a senior at Gloucester High School, a star student- athlete at the school broke the outdoor track program’s 400-meet record during the Fast-Times meet at Cherokee High recently. That two decade plus record was held by his father former City Police Lt. Steve Burkhardt, and GHS alum. The lieutenant retired from the department last year.
According to Sun Papers, Burkhardt has already cemented his own Lions’ legacy, following a historic 2021-’22 football season in which he led the state with 33 rushing touchdowns while racking up 2,034 rushing yards, good for the second most in the state. Those touchdowns tied the single-season school record, and helped lead the program to its first playoff victory since 2014 with a 21-14 victory over New Egypt in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 1 sectional playoffs. read more
TRENTON, NJ (April 27, 2022)(CNBNewsnet)–In New Jersey the Democrats and Republicans are actually working together on the unemployment problem. They might as well hold up signs reading “election year, our friends and we want your vote.”
Many State Senators have formed a new committee to investigate the Department of Labor have said the same things. The residents they represent, every single one, complained that they never got through on the phone and no one ever called them back. They heard everyday “There is no one [at the Dept of Labor] to talk to. After weeks of being ignored the claimants would go to their state representatives for help. State Senator Michael Testa (R-CM) claims to have helped thousands and thousands of people and finally had to dedicate staff just to do the job of the Department of Labor.
Is there ever a story behind the story when it comes to Disney it all started in 1967. The story also includes other major theme parks in the Orlando, FL area.
In 1967 when Disney was buying thousands of acres of land in the Orlando area they made an “agreement” with the state of Florida that they could manage themselves. “Manage” included zoning, planning, utilities, as well as governing themselves. If Disney wanted to build a nuclear power plant in the middle of the Magic Kingdom, they could do it and no one could do anything about it. Again, this is not based on any law; it is based on an agreement. As time went on, the other theme parks got the same agreement.
